You may be a maternity maven, but pregnancy the second time around may come as a surprise in more ways than one. From showing sooner to experiencing fewer early pregnancy symptoms, dealing with more fatigue to enduring shorter labor (hurrah!), here’s what to expect when you’re expecting your second bundle of joy.
Consult the Best Maternity Specialist in Mumbai.
During your second pregnancy, your body’s already attuned to the symptoms associated with a pint-sized passenger in your belly. In turn, it may take to pregnancy sooner and present less pronounced symptoms. Hallelujah to milder cravings, less morning sickness and slower physical changes. Also, since you’ve already trodden this path once before, you may have greater peace of mind knowing you’ve aced it the first time around.
Okay, so that last point about milder symptoms? It doesn’t always equate to energy levels. Quite the contrary. As a seasoned supermom, it’s likely that you’ve got your hands full with school runs, juice spills and impromptu renditions of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And so, unlike your first pregnancy, you might find itmore than a little difficult to put your feet up and give your body the rest it needs.
Nothing can make you ‘feel’ more pregnant than a blooming belly. And because your abdominal and uterine muscles have already expanded with pregnancy before, they’re more flexible than last time, allowing you to show sooner.
Must read - What are the Pregnancy Questions to Ask Your Doctor?
Given that your uterine muscles have pulled heavy duty once before, they’re laxer than they used to be, giving your belly a low-hanging look. A droopy belly is also a possibility if your second baby weighs heavier than your first.
Those whirry, fluttery movements you mistook for gas during your last pregnancy? Well, you know now that it wasn't really winding, but your baby bobbing up and down in your belly. With this second pregnancy, you’re already well-versed with belly movements, and you’ll likely sense your baby dancing away much sooner than last time.
Know more - Physical Changes To Expect in During Pregnancy.
Braxton Hicks contractions can be a sign that your body is gearing up for labor. Only this time, you might find your contractions more exaggerated than the last time around. This is nothing to worry about, but it’s wise to be in tune with your body to avoid panicking and reaching for the car keys the moment you experience them.
Hurrah to that! As a second-time mom, you might experience shorter labor than last time, for several reasons. Firstly, the second stage of labor tends to be much shorter for second-timers – almost two to three hours less than first-time moms. Also, since the cervix is softer from your last pregnancy, pushing your baby out might be quicker this time around too, because dilation and effacement are likely to happen in a wink.
You’ve been there, birthed that. So naturally, breastfeeding will be easier the second time around. But this theory isn’t just rooted inexperience. It also derives from the fact that your body is better prepared to lactate, with your mammary glands morphing into a form more quickly than before.
If you’ve just embarked on your second trip down pregnancy lane, you might want to stay primed on the differences you’ll feel this time around. It’s okay to feel symptoms differently. After all, every pregnancy is unique. Embrace them in their entirety and take heart in knowing that they’re just the prelude to an amazing ending.
Know more - Pregnancy Care Advice for Your Last Trimester.
Want to consult the best gynecologists in India? Please find the links below.
Want to consult the best Maternity Packages in India? Please find the links below.
Every pregnancy is different, and it is not possible to tell which pregnancy will be difficult, either the first or the second. The second pregnancy may be easier as the mother may feel confident and relaxed due to the experience gained from the previous pregnancy. At the same time, it can also be difficult as you are older than the first time, you may have fatigue and may experience the same complications as the previous pregnancy.
Every pregnancy is unique as it depends on the health conditions of the mother and the baby at the time of the pregnancy period. You may notice different symptoms, sometimes it can be extreme fatigue or just strong fetal movements and it varies for every pregnancy, even if it is for the same mother.
It is not possible to tell whether you may have fewer symptoms in the 2nd pregnancy compared to the 1st pregnancy. The symptoms can be the same or different in the 2nd pregnancy than in the first.
You may notice a baby bump sooner in the first trimester of your 2nd pregnancy. This is due to the stretching of abdominal muscles that occurred during the first pregnancy.
